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Environmental pollutants and neighbourhood socioeconomic factors have been associated with neural tube defects, but the potential impact of interaction between ambient air pollution and neighbourhood socioeconomic factors on the risks of neural tube defects is not well understood.

Methods

We used data from the California Center of the National Birth Defects Study and the Children’s Health and Air Pollution Study to investigate whether associations between air pollutant exposure in early gestation and neural tube defects were modified by neighbourhood socioeconomic factors in the San Joaquin Valley of California, 1997–2006. Five pollutant exposures, three outcomes and 9 neighbourhood socioeconomic factors were included for a total of 135 investigated associations. Estimates were adjusted for maternal race-ethnicity, education and multivitamin use.

Results

We present below odds ratios that exclude 1 and a chi-square test of homogeneity p-value of <0.05. We observed increased odds of spina bifida comparing the highest to lowest quartile of particulate matter <10 micrometres (PM10) among those living in a neighbourhood with: a) median household income of less than $30,000 per year (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.7, 15.3); b) more than 20% living below the federal poverty level (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1, 6.0); and c) more than 30% with less than or equal to a high school education (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4, 7.4). The ORs were not statistically significant among those higher SES neighbourhoods.

BACKGROUND : Birth defects are a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest associations between environmental contaminants and some structural anomalies, although evidence is limited and several anomalies have not been investig...

Background : Congenital anomalies are a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest associations between environmental contaminants and some anomalies, although evidence is limited. : Methods : We used data from the California Ce...

To evaluate associations between traffic-related air pollution during pregnancy and preterm birth in births in four counties in California during years 2000 to 2006.|We used logistic regression to examine the association between the highest quartile ...

Spina bifida is a birth defect characterized by incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube. Genetic factors as well as environmental factors have been observed to influence risks for spina bifida. Few studies have investigated possible gene-envi...